Usain Bolt wins unprecedented third Olympic 100m gold medal

The world’s fastest man proved that he is still, well, the world’s fastest man.

Usain Bolt won his third consecutive Olympic 100m gold medal Sunday night in front of an adoring crowd in Rio’s Olympic Stadium.

The Jamaican sprinter pounded his chest as he crossed the finish line in 9.81 seconds. It was his slowest time in his three Olympic 100m finals, but it was fast enough to beat Justin Gatlin by .08 seconds.

"It was brilliant," Bolt said to the Associated Press. "I didn't go so fast but I'm so happy I won. I told you guys I was going to do it."

Bolt, the consummate showman, removed his gold spikes and celebrated by taking selfies with fans and even the heptathlon medalists. He flashed his signature “To Di World” pose for photographers. He then ran over to South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk to congratulate him on breaking Michael Johnson's 17-year-old 400m world record.

Bolt, who will turn 30 on the day of the Closing Ceremony, became the first man to win three consecutive Olympic 100m gold medals. He is undefeated in his seven Olympic finals.

Canada’s Andre De Grasse claimed the bronze medal.

Bolt will return to the track Tuesday for the first round of the 200m, an event he has often described as his favorite.

In his final Olympics, he is attempting to accomplish what he is describing as a “triple-triple”—winning three gold medals (100m, 200m and 4x100m) at three consecutive Olympics. He is already the only person to sweep those three sprinting medals twice.